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LA Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez Named to U.S. World Cup Qualifying Roster

And he is almost the most experienced defender on the injury-hit squad — with all of five caps.

And as I Tweeted Sunday, Galaxy striker Robbie Keane is with the Irish team; both will miss Saturday’s home game against the Colorado Rapids.

Jurgen Klinsmann will talk to the media in a few minutes via a conference call. Here’s a few highlights.

*On the absence of veteran defender Carlos Bocanegra: “The reason why he’s not here is he simply isn’t playing (in the Spanish second division). … He has no flow, no rythmn. Carlos is still in the picture. This is not the end of his national team career.”

*Klinsmann said he will hold off on naming a captain publicly until Tuesday after he has informed players who will all arrrive by tonight. Former captains Bocanegra, Landon Donovan and Tim Howard are all missing from the squad.

*On the inexperienced squad: “This is the roster we have total trust in and they will gain more experience by doing that.”

*Landon Donovan’s name came up, but it doesn’t sound like Klinsmann has spoken with the Galaxy star in some time. Klinsmann said simply “no” when asked whether he’s going to tell Donovan that his country needs him and he needs to get off the couch and start training.

*On Omar Gonzalez: We just want to give him the opportunity to mature and grow in our environment. … We believe there is a real special talent coming through the system.”

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